GITNUXREPORT 2025

Educational Industry Statistics

E-learning market grows, but global disparities and teacher preparedness persist.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The graduation rate for bachelor's degrees in the E.U. was approximately Recent data shows over 35% of adults globally have completed some form of higher education

Statistic 2

The literacy rate in Sub-Saharan Africa is approximately 65%, significantly impacting educational attainment in the region

Statistic 3

Over 60% of college students in the U.S. graduate within six years of initial enrollment

Statistic 4

The average global PISA score for math, science, and reading has remained relatively stagnant over the past decade, indicating persistent educational disparities

Statistic 5

The average high school dropout rate in OECD countries is around 10%, varying significantly by country

Statistic 6

The proportion of students who graduate with a STEM degree within five years is around 60% in the U.S., indicating room for improvement in retention and success

Statistic 7

The U.S. higher education sector saw a 7.6% decline in enrollment from 2019 to 2022

Statistic 8

Around 40 million children globally are out of school, with the majority living in sub-Saharan Africa

Statistic 9

Approximately 80% of students in OECD countries have access to a computer at home for educational purposes

Statistic 10

Women make up approximately 54% of students pursuing higher education globally

Statistic 11

The number of STEM students enrolling in higher education has increased by 25% globally since 2010

Statistic 12

In 2021, the gender gap in internet access was approximately 12%, with boys having greater access than girls in many developing countries

Statistic 13

The digital divide affects about 37% of students worldwide, limiting access to online education

Statistic 14

Early childhood education enrollment rates are over 75% in developed countries but below 50% in many developing nations

Statistic 15

The number of international students worldwide increased by 10% in 2022, reaching over 5 million students globally

Statistic 16

In rural areas, access to quality education is approximately 50% less than in urban areas globally, impacting educational equity

Statistic 17

The number of students per computer in classrooms worldwide averages around 4.8 students per device, indicating resource disparity

Statistic 18

Online learning platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udacity have partnered with over 2,000 universities and institutions worldwide, expanding access to higher education

Statistic 19

Approximately 65% of teachers in developing countries lack access to sufficient teaching materials, impacting educational quality

Statistic 20

The worldwide number of students enrolled in vocational and technical education increased by 30% from 2000 to 2015, indicating growing emphasis on skills training

Statistic 21

The global pre-primary education enrollment rate is about 75%, but it drops significantly in low-income countries, below 50%

Statistic 22

The percentage of adults worldwide with at least some secondary education is approximately 60%, but this varies widely by region

Statistic 23

In 2020, only about 15% of students in Africa had reliable internet access, severely limiting participation in online education

Statistic 24

The global E-learning market size was valued at approximately $250 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $375 billion by 2026

Statistic 25

The average annual expenditure per student in primary and secondary education globally was approximately $572 in 2020

Statistic 26

The number of students taking online courses increased by 150% between 2019 and 2021

Statistic 27

The global vocational training market was valued at approximately $350 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow steadily

Statistic 28

The US spends approximately $15,000 annually per college student

Statistic 29

In 2022, global investment in EdTech startups reached over $10 billion

Statistic 30

Private expenditures on education account for nearly 30% of total education funding worldwide

Statistic 31

The global language learning market was valued at $60 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6% over the next five years

Statistic 32

The average annual tuition fee for private universities in the U.S. exceeds $35,000, with some institutions charging over $50,000

Statistic 33

Investment in education technology startups worldwide reached $5 billion in 2022, supporting innovative learning solutions

Statistic 34

The share of education spending from government budgets ranges from around 10% in some countries to over 25% in others, showing variation in investment priorities

Statistic 35

About 70% of students worldwide have experienced some form of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic

Statistic 36

In 2022, about 90% of countries worldwide had policies supporting the integration of ICT into education

Statistic 37

In India, the number of internet users in the education sector increased by over 60% during the pandemic

Statistic 38

The proportion of students taking MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) increased by over 200% from 2015 to 2020

Statistic 39

The retention rate for online courses is roughly 40%, significantly lower than traditional face-to-face courses

Statistic 40

The most popular subjects among online learners are business (27%), computer science (20%), and health (15%)

Statistic 41

Less than 50% of teachers globally have access to training in digital literacy, affecting online education quality

Statistic 42

Less than 25% of teachers worldwide feel adequately prepared to teach online or hybrid classes

Statistic 43

60% of teachers worldwide agreed that technology enhances student engagement

Statistic 44

The average age of online learners is 26 years old, with a significant portion being working professionals

Statistic 45

The average age of primary school teachers globally is around 42 years old, with significant shortages in developing regions

Statistic 46

The global average student-teacher ratio is approximately 24:1 in primary education, but it can be as high as 40:1 in some developing countries

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Key Highlights

The global E-learning market size was valued at approximately $250 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $375 billion by 2026
About 70% of students worldwide have experienced some form of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic
The U.S. higher education sector saw a 7.6% decline in enrollment from 2019 to 2022
Around 40 million children globally are out of school, with the majority living in sub-Saharan Africa
The average annual expenditure per student in primary and secondary education globally was approximately $572 in 2020
In 2022, about 90% of countries worldwide had policies supporting the integration of ICT into education
The number of students taking online courses increased by 150% between 2019 and 2021
The global vocational training market was valued at approximately $350 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow steadily
Less than 25% of teachers worldwide feel adequately prepared to teach online or hybrid classes
The US spends approximately $15,000 annually per college student
In India, the number of internet users in the education sector increased by over 60% during the pandemic
The graduation rate for bachelor's degrees in the E.U. was approximately Recent data shows over 35% of adults globally have completed some form of higher education
60% of teachers worldwide agreed that technology enhances student engagement

The education industry is undergoing a seismic shift, with the global E-learning market projected to hit $375 billion by 2026 amid rising online participation, technological integration, and persistent gaps in access and quality worldwide.

Educational Outcomes and Performance

The graduation rate for bachelor's degrees in the E.U. was approximately Recent data shows over 35% of adults globally have completed some form of higher education
The literacy rate in Sub-Saharan Africa is approximately 65%, significantly impacting educational attainment in the region
Over 60% of college students in the U.S. graduate within six years of initial enrollment
The average global PISA score for math, science, and reading has remained relatively stagnant over the past decade, indicating persistent educational disparities
The average high school dropout rate in OECD countries is around 10%, varying significantly by country
The proportion of students who graduate with a STEM degree within five years is around 60% in the U.S., indicating room for improvement in retention and success

Educational Outcomes and Performance Interpretation

While over a third of adults worldwide have ventured into higher education and U.S. STEM graduates show promising persistence, the stagnant PISA scores and significant regional disparities—like Sub-Saharan Africa’s 65% literacy rate—highlight that global educational achievement still has a long way to go, often reflecting a curious mix of progress and persistent inequality.

Global Education Access and Enrollment

The U.S. higher education sector saw a 7.6% decline in enrollment from 2019 to 2022
Around 40 million children globally are out of school, with the majority living in sub-Saharan Africa
Approximately 80% of students in OECD countries have access to a computer at home for educational purposes
Women make up approximately 54% of students pursuing higher education globally
The number of STEM students enrolling in higher education has increased by 25% globally since 2010
In 2021, the gender gap in internet access was approximately 12%, with boys having greater access than girls in many developing countries
The digital divide affects about 37% of students worldwide, limiting access to online education
Early childhood education enrollment rates are over 75% in developed countries but below 50% in many developing nations
The number of international students worldwide increased by 10% in 2022, reaching over 5 million students globally
In rural areas, access to quality education is approximately 50% less than in urban areas globally, impacting educational equity
The number of students per computer in classrooms worldwide averages around 4.8 students per device, indicating resource disparity
Online learning platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udacity have partnered with over 2,000 universities and institutions worldwide, expanding access to higher education
Approximately 65% of teachers in developing countries lack access to sufficient teaching materials, impacting educational quality
The worldwide number of students enrolled in vocational and technical education increased by 30% from 2000 to 2015, indicating growing emphasis on skills training
The global pre-primary education enrollment rate is about 75%, but it drops significantly in low-income countries, below 50%
The percentage of adults worldwide with at least some secondary education is approximately 60%, but this varies widely by region
In 2020, only about 15% of students in Africa had reliable internet access, severely limiting participation in online education

Global Education Access and Enrollment Interpretation

Despite a 7.6% drop in U.S. higher ed enrollment and stark disparities like only 15% of African students with internet, the global surge in STEM enrollment and increased international student numbers highlight a paradox where progress coexists with persistent access gaps, reminding us that education's future depends as much on bridging divides as on fostering innovation.

Market Size and Investment Trends

The global E-learning market size was valued at approximately $250 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $375 billion by 2026
The average annual expenditure per student in primary and secondary education globally was approximately $572 in 2020
The number of students taking online courses increased by 150% between 2019 and 2021
The global vocational training market was valued at approximately $350 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow steadily
The US spends approximately $15,000 annually per college student
In 2022, global investment in EdTech startups reached over $10 billion
Private expenditures on education account for nearly 30% of total education funding worldwide
The global language learning market was valued at $60 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6% over the next five years
The average annual tuition fee for private universities in the U.S. exceeds $35,000, with some institutions charging over $50,000
Investment in education technology startups worldwide reached $5 billion in 2022, supporting innovative learning solutions
The share of education spending from government budgets ranges from around 10% in some countries to over 25% in others, showing variation in investment priorities

Market Size and Investment Trends Interpretation

As the global education spend nears a staggering $375 billion by 2026, with online courses surging 150% since 2019, it's clear that while nations vary in their investment priorities—from government budgets to private funding—the future of learning is increasingly digital, expensive, and driven by startups eager to turn every learner into a lifelong consumer.

Online Learning and Technology Adoption

About 70% of students worldwide have experienced some form of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic
In 2022, about 90% of countries worldwide had policies supporting the integration of ICT into education
In India, the number of internet users in the education sector increased by over 60% during the pandemic
The proportion of students taking MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) increased by over 200% from 2015 to 2020
The retention rate for online courses is roughly 40%, significantly lower than traditional face-to-face courses
The most popular subjects among online learners are business (27%), computer science (20%), and health (15%)
Less than 50% of teachers globally have access to training in digital literacy, affecting online education quality

Online Learning and Technology Adoption Interpretation

While the digital surge in education signals progress—with 70% of students experiencing online learning and a 200% rise in MOOC enrollments—the notably low retention rates and limited digital literacy training for teachers underscore that transitioning to cyberspace is as much about closing digital divides as it is about embracing innovation.

Teacher and Student Demographics & Attitudes

Less than 25% of teachers worldwide feel adequately prepared to teach online or hybrid classes
60% of teachers worldwide agreed that technology enhances student engagement
The average age of online learners is 26 years old, with a significant portion being working professionals
The average age of primary school teachers globally is around 42 years old, with significant shortages in developing regions
The global average student-teacher ratio is approximately 24:1 in primary education, but it can be as high as 40:1 in some developing countries

Teacher and Student Demographics & Attitudes Interpretation

While over half of teachers acknowledge that technology boosts engagement, the widespread feelings of unpreparedness for online teaching—and the stark disparities in teacher availability and class sizes—highlight an urgent need for global investment in both educator training and infrastructure to bridge the digital education divide across diverse regions and age groups.